On your Christmas break, gas up the car and head through Houston down to LaMarque, TX! The 2017 Magical Winter Lights (MWL) has returned as a signature holiday event at Gulf Greyhound Park, and it's only a one-hour-and-twenty-minute drive from the back of The Woodlands. One of the largest holiday lighting events in Houston, and the largest lantern festival of its kind to take place in the U.S, Magical Winter Lights is open through January 2, 2018 including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day.
Tickets are $21 for adults and $13 for children 4-12 and seniors. Children under 4 are free. Parking is $5 cash on site. Festival hours are 5pm-10pm Sunday - Thursday and 5pm-11pm Friday & Saturday.
"Houston is Magical Winter Lights' home, so it's my top priority to provide a holiday event that embraces the diversity of our city," said Yusi An, founder of MWL and People Generation, Inc. "Each year, we spend months meticulously planning to guarantee our attendees the chance to experience something they haven't before during the holidays." Magical Winter Lights welcomes on average 200,000 visitors annually through its castle doors.
As a holiday festival that strives to update its attractions annually, MWL is proud to feature more impressive and creative lantern sets than its previous years. The 2017 festival displays seven fascinating themed sections including Magical Wonderland, Mystical Forest, Santa's Christmas Village, Mystery of the East, Dinosaur Land, Landmarks of the World and the festival's newest section: The Lone Star State. The Lone Star State section features a few Texas staples including a 36-foot tall cowboy lantern and a maze leading to eight Texas icons and buildings.
The festival also includes a Holiday Market Square where guests have a chance to explore the festival food court and shopping areas. Guests will have plenty of photo opportunities with character appearances by the Ice Sisters and Santa Claus. There will be nightly acrobatic performances, authentic arts and crafts created by skilled Chinese artisans, amusement rides and games, live entertainment, and an expanded dinosaur exhibit complete with dinosaur rides.
The Gulf Greyhound Park is located in La Marque, TX, right off state highway 45 south, and approximately 35 minutes from downtown Houston. It has neighboring cities including League City, Clear Lake, Dickinson, Texas City, and about 20 minutes north of Galveston.
